March 2024
Dear Graduate,
Congratulations! The Office of Enrollment Services is excited about your accomplishment and wanted to pass on some important information as it relates to your upcoming commencement.
Commencement: The Spring 2024 commencement ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 7:00 pm at First Baptist Church Texarkana. Graduates need to arrive by 6:00 pm and proceed to the Grand Atrium for check-in. Please arrive dressed in your cap and gown. Graduates can have up to 5 guests attend the ceremony. Guest will need a ticket to attend, seat saving will not be allowed after 6:30 pm. Extra graduation tickets can be requested when completing your RSVP form to participate in the ceremony. Overflow seating will open in the Atrium for guest at 6:55 pm once the sanctuary and balcony is full. The graduation ceremony will be streamed live and can be accessed at www.texarkanacollege.edu.
Commencement Ticket Distribution: Commencement ticket distribution will take place in the Office of Enrollment Service. Below are the ticket distribution dates and times. We encourage all graduates to plan accordingly.
Monday, May 6 – 9:00 am until 6:00 pm
Tuesday, May 7 – 9:00 am until 5:00 pm
Wednesday, May 8 – 9:00 am until 12:00 pm
Decorum: The graduation ceremony is a celebration, but also a formal academic event. The celebration manifests itself in the dress of the students and faculty adorned in academic regalia, and the joy and satisfaction of accomplishment. The ceremony is also marked by seriousness where the actual conferring of degrees signifies the hard work of everyone involved: students, faculty, administrators, and family. Graduation stoles are limited to Texarkana College approved academic stoles. CUSTOMIZED stoles are not ALLOWED. ONLY TC approved regalia may be worn. Graduates will be reviewed for proper academic regalia during check-in, entering the auditorium, and before walking across the stage. UNAPPROVED academic regalia including non-approved academic stoles and decorated mortarboards will not be allowed and the graduate will be asked to remove it or not participate.
RSVP for Commencement: Please let us know you are participating in commencement by completing the RSVP link by Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 5:00 pm. Failure to complete the RSVP link will result in not being able to participate in the ceremony.
Commencement Rehearsal: To be properly prepared, commencement rehearsal will take place on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 3:00 pm. While it is not required, we strongly encourage graduates to attend. Rehearsal will take place in the First Baptist Church Texarkana Sanctuary. Entry for rehearsal will take place from the West Foyer.
Location: Both the rehearsal and ceremony will take place at First Baptist Church Texarkana formerly First Baptist Church, Moores Lane. While the church has ample parking, we encourage graduates to park in the Scout Hut parking section near Cowhorn Creek. Below is the church address.
First Baptist Church Texarkana
3015 Moores Lane
Texarkana, TX 75503
Cap and Gown/Graduation Announcements: Cap and Gowns along with graduation announcements are available for purchase in the Texarkana College bookstore. The bookstore is located at Texarkana College in the Truman Arnold Student Center and is open daily; check with them for all your graduation needs.
Honor Cords: Honor Cords are available to graduates receiving an Associates of Arts, Associates of Science, or Associates of Applied Science who have a 3.25 accumulative/career GPA or higher; the GPA is based off your previous semester’s course work. Honor Cords are $5.00 and can be purchased at the student account window in the Nelson Administration Building. Honor Cords will be distributed in the Office of Enrollment Services beginning Wednesday, May 1 through Wednesday, May 8; please bring your receipt showing you have paid.
First Generation Cords: First Generation Cords are available to graduates who participate in commencement. First Generation is defined by any student who has parents that have never received a bachelor’s degree. Cord distribution will take place in the Office of Enrollment Services beginning Wednesday, May 1 through Wednesday, May 8.
Diplomas and Certificates: Each graduate will receive a diploma tube when walking across the stage at commencement. Official Diplomas and Certificates will be mailed beginning Friday, June 14, 2024.
Flash Photography: Flash Photography is the official photographer of commencement. Every graduate is photographed and mailed a proof after the ceremony.
Texas A&M-Texarkana: Students interested in transferring to Texas A&M-Texarkana are encouraged to contact Katelyn Sloan at 903.823.3060 or through e-mail at ksloan@tamut.edu.
If you have questions related to commencement, please do not hesitate to contact us at 903.823.3012 or through e-mail at graduation@texarkanacollege.edu. Again, congratulations and best wishes with your future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Office of Enrollment Services